‘God wants me to move more into developing cold fusion,’ Haut informed Cavalier in a phone call three months after their encounter at St Helens. ‘I’m resigning from my companies to work on it full-time. I own most of the shares so I can return when I wish.’

‘Who’ll run your oil business while you’re away?’

‘Sir Harry Askew. I thought it would be worth gaining some gravitas by hiring an ex-head of Conquer’s exploration in Australia. I met him at the races. Askew had hinted he would like to work with my operation.’

‘Ex-Conquer?’

‘Don’t worry. They had a big falling out. He’s an affable, well-connected bloke.’

‘I remember him from my very early days reporting finance. Big drinker. My advice would be to keep the liquor cabinet full and him away from the female staff. At least, I would have said that two decades ago. Perhaps he’s matured, or become worse.’

‘He seems an okay guy. But I’ll keep an eye on him.’

‘So you’re going to develop that car-run-on-water technology you spoke about?’

‘It’s God’s will.’

‘Won’t you become a bigger problem for Conquer? Your oil development is a pain in its arse. In the end, though, you just represent more competition. But that water-as-fuel-for-everything technology is a direct threat. It’ll wipe Conquer out. In fact, all the oil sisters will be stuffed. I mean, a multi-trillion dollar industry will go down the toilet.’

‘It will. But I have plans for that.’

Cavalier waited for an explanation, but when none was forthcoming he asked, ‘What plans?’

‘I’ll tell you when my cold fusion technology is developed.’

‘You are aware that there’s a long history of guys like you being bumped off or forced out of business aren’t you? That American Stanley Meyer who was murdered, for instance.’

‘He was poisoned, right in front of his brother.’

‘By two Belgian guys posing as businessmen. They put something in his cranberry juice.’

‘Never drink it myself.’

There was a long pause.

‘I admire your courage, as much as anyone I’ve ever met,’ Cavalier said. ‘But it will be a tough time for you if you go on with the cold fusion development.’

‘It was in my original vision. I must go on with it. Besides, they already tried to bribe and kill me. What more can they do than that?’

‘There is a twisted logic in there, I guess.’